During the 77th Upper Columbia Conference constituency session, held May 31 in Spangle, Wash., nearly 500 Upper Columbia Conference delegates overwhelmingly voted to approve the reelection of all four conference officers. Paul Hoover will continue as president, Doug Johnson as vice president for administration, Randy Terry as vice president for finance, and Larry Marsh as vice president for education.
The delegates, who traveled from three different states to Upper Columbia Academy’s gymnasium, also elected conference departmental directors, the executive committee, the constitution and bylaws committee, and the K–12 board of education for the coming four-year term.
Hoover’s devotional message to begin the session reiterated the conference’s mission to make disciples and grow them into the men and women God intended them to be. That mission was illustrated abundantly in the growth of Hispanic churches within the conference. Four new churches were voted into the sisterhood of conference churches: Granger Spanish, Kennewick Spanish, Pendleton Spanish and Wapato Spanish. One church was officially closed by vote of the delegates — the Pasco Country Haven Church.
There was some active discussion on issues related to considerations of gender, age and diversity in recommended bylaw changes, but in the end most changes were largely routine.
In the end, delegates at the session carried out the important work with the honest spirit of a town hall meeting — members of differing viewpoints felt comfortable to speak their minds.
In closing, Hoover acknowledged that current and future issues are not insignificant — “Indeed,” he said, “they loom large and speak with a big voice. But I’m reminded of a smaller voice that speaks much louder.” He referenced the encouraging words of Ellen White from Acts of the Apostles, which echo the promise of God for all who work for His mission: “He made full provision for the prosecution of their work and took upon himself the responsibility for its success. So long as they worked in cooperation with him, they could not fail.”
View more photos of the constituency session here.
Departmental Directors 2015–2019
- Jay Wintermeyer, communication
- Mark Weir, ministerial
- Art Lenz, information and technology services
- John Stanton, personal evangelism, discipleship and adult Sabbath school
- Patty Marsh, community services, women’s ministries, children’s ministries
- Wendy Eberhardt, youth
- Herman Schreven, Adventist Book Center
- Andrew McCrary, trust
- Richard Parker, human resources
- NOTE: Pathfinder/family life/NSO director will be selected by executive committee
Executive Committee 2015–2019
- Paul Hoover, chair
- Doug Johnson
- Randy Terry
- Larry Marsh
- Rosemary Watts
- Monty Knittel
- John McVay
- Shelley Bacon
- Larry Dodds
- Mable Dunbar
- Merlin Ekvall
- Jaime Flores
- Russell Gilbert
- Mindi Irvine
- Jeff Kinne
- Kent Knight
- Dean Kravig
- Darin Patzer
- Patti Schultz
- Melissa Taylor
- Mike Tillay
K–12 Board of Education 2015–2019
- Paul Hoover, chair
- Doug Johnson
- Randy Terry
- Larry Marsh
- Dennis Plubell
- Leslie Bumgardner
- Denise Dunzweiler
- Tito Espinoza Sr.
- Larry Goodhew Sr.
- Geoff Heald
- Lance Irvine
- Debby Maniscalco
- Keeni Mitchell
- Walter Pintos
- Julie Savino
- Sharon Searson
- Ron Turner
- Sherri Wheeler
- John Winslow
Upper Columbia Conference officers reelected include (from left) Randall Terry, vice president for finance; Doug Johnson, vice president for administration; Paul Hoover, president; and Larry Marsh, vice president for education.
Left to right, Pathfinders Tori Johnson and James Terry, salute during The Pledge of Allegiance along with Adventurers, Levi Hardy and Ty Hartman.
Nearly all voting at the session utilized units each delegate was given to anonymously record their votes.
Paul Hoover addresses the delegates at the beginning of the session with a devotional message about becoming and growing disciples.
A good view of the more than 500 delegates who convened at the Upper Academy gymnasium for the 77th constituency session for Upper Columbia Conference.
Larry Marsh, superintendent of UCC schools, give an education report to the delegates.
Don't use this one: Notice the wrinkles on the table skirt. The gymnastic team from UCA must have sate on them the night before.
Virginia Davidson from Kennewick, Wash., participates in the discussion on the floor.
A lively time of questions and comments from the floor at the UCC Constituency session.
Upper Columbia Conference officers reelected are pictured with their wives: (from left) Randall and Tamara Terry, vice president for finance; Doug and Denise Johnson, vice president for administration; Paul and Patti Hoover, president; and Larry and Patty Marsh, vice president for education.
(From left) Mark Rembolt, Randy Terry, John Loor, Doug Johnson, Paul Hoover, Max Torkelsen, Larry Marsh and Dennis Plubell.
